Four days after the assembly election results, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde broke his silence. He said on Wednesday that I have assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that whatever decision the BJP takes on the name of his successor, I will follow it. After Shinde’s announcement, Shiv Sena leaders strongly demanded that he remain the Chief Minister as the ruling Mahayuti alliance had won a landslide victory under his leadership.
Political observers say Shinde’s move has cleared the way for the new government to be sworn in. There is a possibility that BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis will lead the new government. At a packed press conference at his home in Thane, Shinde (60) said he would fully support the BJP leaders’ decision to name the next chief minister and would not hinder the process.
We will meet our leaders soon and take a decision: Fadnavis
Now Devendra Fadnavis’ reaction to Shinde’s statement has also come to light. On the claims of Shinde’s candidature for the CM post, he said: “There has never been any difference of opinion between us in our Mahayuti. We have always taken decisions together and had said before the elections that after the elections we will take decisions collectively. Some people had doubts about what Eknath Shinde has made clear today that we will meet our leaders and take decisions.”
Let us tell you that Shinde had said during a press conference, “Yesterday I called Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah and asked them to decide (who will be the Chief Minister) and assured them that whatever decision they take, I will follow it.” “I will. Our Shiv Sena will fully support the BJP’s decision to appoint the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
CM likely to take oath on December 1: Ajit Pawar
On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told reporters that the new Chief Minister is likely to take oath on November 30 or December 1. He said there will be two Deputy Chief Ministers in the new government. Shinde rejected reports that he was disappointed at not getting a second term despite the ruling Mahayuti alliance winning a landslide victory under his leadership. He said: “No one is angry. We have worked as a great alliance.”
Asked if he was disappointed at not getting a second term, Shinde said: “There is no such thing. You must remember that the BJP had supported my tenure as chief minister. Amit Bhai in Delhi yesterday. There will be a meeting with (Shah) and all related decisions will be finalized at the meeting in Delhi. I once again thank the people and voters of Maharashtra for this spectacular victory in the recent assembly elections.”
